TOPIC 6: INPUT/OUTPUT (I/O) SYSTEMS

These flashcards cover the definitions, hardware categories, interfaces, and kernel subsystems associated with Computer I/O Systems.

I/O (Input/Output) systems

Hardware and software components that enable the transfer of data between a computer and the external world.

Input Devices

Devices that capture data or user input from the physical world, such as keyboards, mice, touchscreens, scanners, and cameras.

Output Devices

Devices that present information to users by converting digital data into a form humans can perceive and interact with, like displays, printers, speakers, and projectors.

Storage Devices

Devices that allow the computer to persistently record and retrieve information, such as hard disk drives, solid-state drives, and optical discs.

Peripheral Devices

Auxiliary devices connected to the computer, like game controllers, drawing tablets, and network adapters, that extend functionality.

Keyboards

Fundamental input devices used to input text and commands, control applications, and navigate computer systems.

Mice

Pointing devices that provide precise pointer control, enabling users to navigate, select, and interact with on-screen elements.

Touchscreens

Devices that allow direct interaction with graphical user interfaces by touching the screen.

Joysticks

Input devices commonly used for gaming to provide intuitive control over movement and actions in virtual environments.

Displays

Hardware like monitors, TVs, and projectors that translate digital signals into visual output.

Printers

Output devices that convert digital data into physical, printed documents on paper or other media.

Audio Devices

Hardware such as speakers and headphones that transform digital audio signals into sound waves.

Hard Disk Drives

Traditional magnetic storage devices characterized by large capacities and fast access times.

Solid-State Drives

Flash-based storage with no moving parts, offering faster performance and lower power consumption.

Optical Discs

Storage media that use laser technology, including CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs.

USB Flash Drives

Portable, removable storage devices that connect via USB for convenient data transfer.

Scanners

Input devices that capture physical documents or images and convert them into digital form for computer processing.

I/O Buses

Pathways that connect input/output devices to the computer's processor and memory, transmitting data, addresses, and control signals.

Interfaces

Standardized connections like USB, Ethernet, and HDMI that allow peripheral devices to integrate with the computer system.

Application I/O Interface

A standard interface through which applications interact with the operating system, providing a consistent, abstract way to perform I/O operations.

File I/O System Calls

System calls such as open(), read(), write(), and close() that allow applications to interact with files.

Device I/O System Calls

System calls like ioctl() that enable applications to control and configure hardware devices directly through the operating system.

Network I/O System Calls

Calls like socket(), connect(), send(), and recv() that facilitate network communication and data transfer.

Kernel I/O Subsystem

A part of the kernel that provides services such as scheduling, buffering, spooling, device reservation, and error handling.

I/O Scheduling

A service where the kernel manages I/O requests using algorithms to ensure fairness and optimize throughput across multiple devices.

I/O Buffering

A mechanism that temporarily stores data to improve I/O performance.

Spooling

A kernel service that queues I/O requests, allowing applications to submit jobs asynchronously without waiting for devices to become available.

Device Reservation

A kernel management service that provides exclusive access to devices to prevent conflicts and ensure data integrity.

I/O Caching

Mechanisms used to store frequently accessed data to improve performance by reducing latency and increasing throughput.

I/O Protection

The enforcement of strict access controls and permissions by the kernel to safeguard I/O devices from unauthorized access.

Prioritisation

The process of determining which I/O requests should be processed first during I/O scheduling.

Fairness

The scheduling objective of ensuring equitable access to I/O resources.

Error Detection

A function of I/O systems to continuously monitor for errors during input and output operations to ensure reliability.

Error Diagnosis

The use of diagnostic tools and procedures to pinpoint the root cause of an error, such as hardware failure or software bugs.

Error Reporting

The use of logging systems to record details of I/O errors for in-depth analysis and future improvements.

Error Recovery

Handling strategies that allow I/O systems to gracefully recover from errors, minimizing disruption and preventing data loss.